The Kava Experience
Today’s fact of the day is subjective, however it’s a question we see quite often asked; “So, what does kava feel like?”. It’s an answer we all will have a slightly different answer for, so today’s fact of the day will be backed up by you, the kava drinkers.
Research attempts to encapsulate the kava experience such as “... it is generally agreed that the first effect of drinking kava is a numbing and astringent effect on the tongue and the lining of the mouth...A little while after drinking, kava is found to reduce fatigue, to allay anxiety, and to produce a generally pleasant, cheerful and sociable attitude, although some other quite different physiological effects - some bordering on intoxication - have been noted in various parts of Oceania”. Also, “Kava almost immediately deprives them (the kava drinker) of the use of their limbs and speech, but does not touch the mental faculty and they appear in a thoughtful mood and frequently fall backwards before they have finished eating” [1].
Titcomb in 1948 describes the kava experience as; “The effect of 'awa varies according to the amount taken. In moderation, it relaxes the nerves and induces refreshing rest; taken often in large quantities it makes the skin scaly (mahuna), ulcerous, the eyes blood-shot and suppurated, and reduces the control of the nerves of the arms and legs. Walking is difficult or impossible. In striking contrast to the effect of alcohol, the mind remains clear until sleep comes, and the emotions are unaffected. The reputation of 'awa may have suffered a little from the lack of a term that accurately expresses its effect—intoxicating, narcotic, soporific, all being peculiarly applicable to alcohol and drugs” [2].
One of the most commonly quoted experiences comes from Tom Harrison “The head is affected pleasantly; you feel friendly, not beer sentimental; you cannot hate with kava in you. Kava quiets the mind; the world gains no new color or rose tint; it fits in its place and in one easily understandable whole” [3].
To me, kava is the perfect closer to a stressful day. It calms physically and emotionally. Kava time to me is processing time. It allows me to easily review the day without emotionally responding again to what happened. Personally, kava gives me space. Space to simply be separate from my emotions, and space to process without reaction. It gives me a blank canvas on which I can analyze the day, my reactions and my emotional state. It feels like when you’ve just put the finishing touches on a months-long project. It feels like jumping into a swimming pool on an extremely hot day (I’m showing my non-Pacific heritage here. I’ve not found that many beaches in Tennessee). It feels like pressing the pause button.
In terms of physical effects the closest feeling I can equate is the feeling of suddenly entering an extremely large space after having been in a small one. When the kava takes hold, to me at least, it feels like the room opens up. My arms, legs, and eyelids become heavy, and clear speech becomes difficult. It’s after this point I start looking for the bed.
So, kava drinkers, what does kava feel like to you?
[1] Singh, Y. N. 1992. “Kava: An Overview.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 37 (1): 13–45.
(https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(92)90003-a.)
[2] Titcomb, Margaret. 1948. “Kava in Hawaii.” The Journal of the Polynesian Society. Polynesian Society 57 (2): 105–71.
(https://doi.org/10.2307/20703155.)
[3] Harrison, Tom. 1937. “Savage Civilisation.” Nature 139 (3518): 568–69.
(https://doi.org/10.1038/139568a0.)
Today’s fact of the day is subjective, however it’s a question we see quite often asked; “So, what does kava feel like?”. It’s an answer we all will have a slightly different answer for, so today’s fact of the day will be backed up by you, the kava drinkers.
Research attempts to encapsulate the kava experience such as “... it is generally agreed that the first effect of drinking kava is a numbing and astringent effect on the tongue and the lining of the mouth...A little while after drinking, kava is found to reduce fatigue, to allay anxiety, and to produce a generally pleasant, cheerful and sociable attitude, although some other quite different physiological effects - some bordering on intoxication - have been noted in various parts of Oceania”. Also, “Kava almost immediately deprives them (the kava drinker) of the use of their limbs and speech, but does not touch the mental faculty and they appear in a thoughtful mood and frequently fall backwards before they have finished eating” [1].
Titcomb in 1948 describes the kava experience as; “The effect of 'awa varies according to the amount taken. In moderation, it relaxes the nerves and induces refreshing rest; taken often in large quantities it makes the skin scaly (mahuna), ulcerous, the eyes blood-shot and suppurated, and reduces the control of the nerves of the arms and legs. Walking is difficult or impossible. In striking contrast to the effect of alcohol, the mind remains clear until sleep comes, and the emotions are unaffected. The reputation of 'awa may have suffered a little from the lack of a term that accurately expresses its effect—intoxicating, narcotic, soporific, all being peculiarly applicable to alcohol and drugs” [2].
One of the most commonly quoted experiences comes from Tom Harrison “The head is affected pleasantly; you feel friendly, not beer sentimental; you cannot hate with kava in you. Kava quiets the mind; the world gains no new color or rose tint; it fits in its place and in one easily understandable whole” [3].
To me, kava is the perfect closer to a stressful day. It calms physically and emotionally. Kava time to me is processing time. It allows me to easily review the day without emotionally responding again to what happened. Personally, kava gives me space. Space to simply be separate from my emotions, and space to process without reaction. It gives me a blank canvas on which I can analyze the day, my reactions and my emotional state. It feels like when you’ve just put the finishing touches on a months-long project. It feels like jumping into a swimming pool on an extremely hot day (I’m showing my non-Pacific heritage here. I’ve not found that many beaches in Tennessee). It feels like pressing the pause button.
In terms of physical effects the closest feeling I can equate is the feeling of suddenly entering an extremely large space after having been in a small one. When the kava takes hold, to me at least, it feels like the room opens up. My arms, legs, and eyelids become heavy, and clear speech becomes difficult. It’s after this point I start looking for the bed.
So, kava drinkers, what does kava feel like to you?
[1] Singh, Y. N. 1992. “Kava: An Overview.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 37 (1): 13–45.
(https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(92)90003-a.)
[2] Titcomb, Margaret. 1948. “Kava in Hawaii.” The Journal of the Polynesian Society. Polynesian Society 57 (2): 105–71.
(https://doi.org/10.2307/20703155.)
[3] Harrison, Tom. 1937. “Savage Civilisation.” Nature 139 (3518): 568–69.
(https://doi.org/10.1038/139568a0.)
